Specialty Rheology Modifiers for

Concentrated Liquid Detergent Products

Consumers are attracted to detergents that leave their clothes clean and stain-free, maintain the integrity of their
clothing and that are highly dispersible, for a more efficient clean. Since consumers are looking for premium and
concentrated detergents with multi-functional benefits that target their specific needs, Evonik has developed the
perfect solution for liquid detergent formulators.

Evonik’s wide range of AEROSIL® fumed silica Low-water detergent test formulation
grades improve product form and appeal by
offering targeted rheology control. These Material Weight percentage
specialty ingredients control viscosity and
Tomadol® 91-8 19 %
suspension properties independently, which
BIO-SOFT® S 101 (neutralized) 38.63 %
gives the formulator a high degree of flexibil-
ity. Formulations thickened or stabilized with 30 % Sodium Citrate Solution (in water) 36.75 %

AEROSIL® also have outstanding pourability Propylene Glycol 5.52 %

driven by the thixotropic or shear-thinning
Select AEROSIL® grade 0 %– 3 %
nature of these thickeners.

Viscosity effect of AEROSIL® grades on detergent test formulation

10000

8000
Viscosity / mPa • s

6000

4000

2000

0
Blank 3 % AEROSIL® 200 3 % AEROSIL® 300 3 % AEROSIL® COK 84 3 % AEROSIL® R 974

Figure 1 Viscosity of the test formulation with 3 % of the AEROSIL® grades at a shear rate of 0.102 s-1, measured on an Anton Paar MCR 302

SPECIALTY RHEOLOGY MODIFIERS FOR CONCENTRATED LIQUID DETERGENT PRODUCTS PAGE 1/2
 Rheological curves showing shear-thinning behavior of test formulation
■■ Hydrophobic silica such as AEROSIL® R 974
50000
achieves a high level of thickening
40000
efficiency.
Viscosity / mPa • s

30000
■■ Hydrophilic silica like AEROSIL® 300 and
200 offers a balance between thickening
20000
and suspension properties.
10000 ■■ All silica grades show a desired
shear-thinning profile for improved
0
0.015 0.15 1.5 15 150 pourability.
Shear rate / s-1

Blank 3 % AEROSIL® R 974 3 % AEROSIL® COK 84

3 % AEROSIL® 300 3 % AEROSIL® 200

Figure 2 Shear rate vs. viscosity for the test formulation with 3 % of the AEROSIL® grades, measured on an Anton Paar MCR 302

Wide range of AEROSIL® chemistries are available based on your formulation needs

AEROSIL® 200 AEROSIL® R 816 AEROSIL® R 974 AEROSIL® R 202 AEROSIL® R 812
AEROSIL® COK 84 AEROSIL® R 208 AEROSIL® R 812 S

OH C16H33 H3C CH3 CH3

H3C CH3 H3C
CH3
Si
Si Si Si
O O Si Si(CH3)3
O O O O
O O O O
O
n

No surface treatment Hexadecyl- Dimethyldichlorosilane Polysiloxane Hexamethyldisilazane

trimethoxysilane

More hydrophilic grades More hydrophobic grades

AEROSIL® can be a powerful formulation aid that:

■■ Prevents suspended particles from settling.
■■ Improves filling efficiency of unit dose packs.
■■ Has compatibility and synergies with surfactant systems.
■■ Stabilizes highly acidic formulations.
■■ Delivers a desired shear-thinning profile for improved pourability.

This information and any recommendations, technical or otherwise, are presented in good faith and believed to Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH
be correct as of the date prepared. Recipients of this information and recommendations must make their own deter- Business Line Silica
mination as to its suitability for their purposes. In no event shall Evonik assume liability for damages or losses of any Rodenbacher Chaussee 4
kind or nature that result from the use of or reliance upon this information and recommendations. EVONIK
63457 Hanau
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR
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companies is neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of the corresponding product, and does not imply Fax +49 6181 59-712532
that similar products could not be used. Evonik reserves the right to make any changes to the information and/or ask-si@evonik.com
recommendations at any time, without prior or subsequent notice. www.evonik.com
AEROSIL® and SIPERNAT® are registered trademarks of Evonik Industries or its subsidiaries.
Evonik supports you in selecting the best suited AEROSIL® product and optimizing current formulations through
our Application Technology Group.

SPECIALTY RHEOLOGY MODIFIERS FOR CONCENTRATED LIQUID DETERGENT PRODUCTS PAGE 2/2